Can opening device



Sept. 18, 1962 W. R. HEISER ET AL CAN OPENING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aprill 20, 1959 SePt- 18, 1962 w. R. HElsER ETAL 3,054,178

CAN OPENING DEVICE INVENTORS WARREN R. HEIS ER 3,954,173 CAN OPENING DEVICE Warren R. Heiser, Dearborn, and Elmore L. Zibbeli,

Redford, Mich., assignors to Ferro Stamping Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 807,629 14 Claims. (Cl. 30-8) The present invention relates to can opening devices in general, and more particularly to a device for piercing the top of beverage containing cans and the like.

In the opening of a beverage containing can, which is also to be used as a drinking container, it is necessary -to form a clean pierced hole in the top of the can. There must not be any sharp protruding edges about the opening and the means of piercing the can should be sterile and germ-free.

Commercial vending machines are required by law t provide the utmost in precautionary measures `for the publics health and safety. Accordingly, a can opening device for canned beverage containers preferably includes the most simple, trouble free, harm-proof, and sanitary form of can opener; particularly when the can is to also serve as the drinking container.

It is an object of the present invention to disclose a can opening device adapted to pierce a cleanly defined and sterile opening in a beverage retaining can, or the like.

lIt is a further object of the present invention to disclose a can opening or piercing device having the piercing tool thereof disposed in a shielded and protected position when not in use for safety, health precautionary, and other reasons.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a can opening device making use of a piercing tool, and in which the can is moved relative to the piercing tool instead of vice-versa as normally done. This enables the piercing tool to remain in a harm-free position even when l1n use.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a can opener including piercing means having vapor venting means Vfor 'the release of vapor pressures from the sealed can as it is opened.

Itis a still further object of the present'invention to disclose lan electrically or `otherwise sterilized tool for piercing beverage containing cans and the like. The disclosed can opener enables the simple inclusion of such sterilization means in having an immovably mounted piercing tool.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a can opener having means for moving the can relative to the opening tool and for shielding Such tool in aharmfree and reasonably protected sanitary condition until used.

A still further object of the present invention is to disclose a manually operable can opener including all of the features mentioned, and of sturdy, simple and trouble free construction. The can opener of this invention includes a minimum of parts which can be readily manufactured and assembled to provide a reasonably inexpensive can opening device. p

Still further among the objects of this invention is the inclusion of a simple means in combination with the other features mentioned, for receiving and retaining a beverage or other can thereto, for returning such can to` FIGUREI is a front plan View of a can opening device including the `features of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side plan view of the can opener of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side plan view of the can opener of FIGURES l and 2 with a beverage can disposed therein and being opened.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the can opener as seen in the plane of line 4 4 of FIGURE l, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the can opener of FIGUREl as seen in the plane of line 5 5 thereof, looking in the ydirection of the arrows thereon.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a modified form of piercing tool.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of the modified piercing tool of FIGURE 6 as seen in the plane of line '7-7 thereon.

Referring to the drawings in further detail, the can opener 10 includes a back wall forming plate member 12 which is intended to be vertically disposed in the norm-al use of the disclosed device. The back wall member 12 serves as a supporting member for other mechanism, as will be shown.

An open-faced side, top and bottom wall forming member 14 has the back wall forming member 12 received Within the recessed back edges thereof and secured thereto by threaded bolt fasteners 16, as shown in FIGURE 5. The uppermost endof member 114 is formed to provide a hood or canopy 18 which extends out beyond the side walls thereof. The inner and rearwardly disposed edges of the side Wall parts of member 14 are formed and disposed to provide, with the member 12, a channel groove track 20 next adjacent the back wall 12, as best shown in FIGURE 5.

A slide member 22 is disposed in vertically reciprocal relation against the back Wall 12, and with side flanges 24 thereof received in the groove tracks 20. The accessible front face `of the slide member 22 is formed to provide a concavity 26 to receive a beverage can. Transversely disposed grooves 28 are formed within Vthe face of the slidey 2.2 and across the recessed concavity 26 formed therein. `Such grooves 28 are spaced to receive the terminal beaded or rolled flanges of a beverage or otherv can therein. Three such grooves 28 are shown to indicate that more than one size can may be used in the disclosed can opener device 10.

One side of the slide 22 and the next adjacent side of the side wall forming member 14 are recessed as at 30 and 32 to receive a coiled compression spring 34 therein. The spring 34 serves to bias the slide 22 in a lower disposed and accessible position.

The slide 2.2 is formed to include an upwardly and outwardly extended part 36 at its upper end. A groove 3S is yformed within the extended part 3=6 of the slide on the outer side face thereof. This groove 38 serves to receive a stud on an operator member 40 in engagement therewith to raise the slide member 22 relative to the backing plate 12 against the action of spring 34. v

The slide operating member 40 includes a shield or shrouding part 42 pivotally mounted to the side wall providing member 14, and has a yhandle 44 extending downwardly at one side thereof. The curved shield 42 extends jus-t under the hood 18 when the handle 44 is in a downwardly disposed position. Rivets or other fasteners 46 may provide the pivotal-connection of member 4i) to member 14, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

A stud 50 is provided on the inner side of the operating member 40 and in position to be received'in the groove 38 formed in the extended part 36 of the slide member. The stud 50 is spaced from the pivot mounting 46 of theslide operator so that as the operating memberv is Patented Sept. 18, 1962l rotated on its pivotal axis, the slide is reciprocated vertically. This will be further described in the disclosed operation of the can opener device.

The operator handle 44 includes a sidewardly extending flange 52 for better finger engagement therewith.

Within the shielded or shrouded protection of the cover part 42 of the slide operator is diposed the can opening tool 54. A bracket 55 holds the can opening tool S4 in fixed and stationary engagement with the backing plate 12.

Electrical heating means including electrical connections 56 and heating elements 58 and 59 are provided to heat the can piercing tool member 60. These connections are to enable heating the tool member 60 to about 180 degrees to keep it germ-free and sterile. Such heat may be constantly applied to the piercing tool or may be periodically applied by suitable timing means.

The piercing tool member 60 is itself triangular in shape, as seen in FIGURES 6 and 7. It is formed to provide a pointed piercing tip 62 at its lower forward limit and has a groove 64 provided in its forward edge. The groove 64 serves to vent gases from the can which is pierced by the tool. These features are best shown in FIGURE 1.

A modified form of piercing tool 60 is shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7. This tool is of similar size and shape to the one just described. However, the piercing tool 60' includes a connected recess 66 and passage 68 provided centrally thereof and serving as a gas vent in place of the front edge groove 64 of the piercing tool 60 just described.

Operation mrd use The can opener 10 is intended to be mounted in a vertically disposed position. The parts are assembled as previously described. The electrical connections 56 are connected to an electrical source to energize the heating elements 58 and S9, and maintain the piercing tool 60 at a sterlizing temperature. The biasing spring 34 holds the slide plate 22 down and consequently the handle 44 alongside the wall forming part 14 of the opener device.

A beverage containing can is placed within the concavity 26 formed in the slide plate 22. The end flanges or beads of the can are received within the slide plate grooves 28 formed in the recessed face thereof. This assures proper alignment of the can on the Plate 22.

It will be appreciated, at this point, that the recess 26 and grooves 28 may be formed so as to hold the beverage can thereto without other means; or other means though not shown may be included for such purpose. In the simplest arrangement, the person operating the opener holds the can against the slide plate.

When handle 44 is raised, by lifting the finger grip flange 52, the upper end of the operator 40 is rotated. This causes the stud 50, engaged with the slide via groove 38, to raise the slide towards the piercing tool 60.

The slide 22 is movable within the guide limits of the side edge retaining grooves 20. It is raised against the resistance of the biasing spring 34, which must be compressed to do so. The spring 34 later serves to return the slide to its original position and to cause the handle 44 to likewise return to its original downwardly disposed disposition.

As the slide 22 is elevated in the course of raising handle 44, the shielding head 42 of the operating member is moved to expose the piercing tool 60. The shielding part 42 swings under the hood 18 as the beverage can moves into engagement with the piercing tool 60.

Gases are allowed to escape the beverage can in the course of piercing due to the venting groove 64 in the tip of tool 60, or the passages 66 and 68 in the tool 60.

The height of the tool tip 60 and the travel of the beverage can slide 22 are normally set, where possible, to avoid having the tool extended through the can and into 4 the beverage. This is to prevent a syrupy deposit on the tool tip which might attract small insects. However, the heat maintained at the piercing tool will burn away and clean any such deposit therefrom. Further, the cover protection afforded by the hood 18, and more particularly the shield 42, will prevent inadvertent access thereto.

After a beverage can is pierced, pressure is relieved on the finger grip flange S2 of handle 44 and the spring 34 lowers the slide 22 to Where the can is readily accessible. This also causes handle 44 to swing down and shield 42 to cover the piercing tool 60. Thus, the opener 10 is ready for subsequent use.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved can opening device in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. A can opening device comprising a support member having a can receiving member `mounted for reciprocal sliding movement thereon, a stationary piercing tool provided on said support member and in can piercing relation to said can receiving member, and a handle member pivotally `mounted on said support member and operatively engaged to said can receiving member for reciprocating the latter into can piercing relation to said piercing tool.

2. A can opening device comprising a support member having a can receiving member mounted for reciprocal sliding movement thereon, a vapor venting piercing tool mounted in fixed relation on said support member and in can opening relation to said can receiving member, said tool including electrical means of sterilization, and a -handle member pivotally mounted on said support member and operatively engaged to said can receiving member for reciprocating the latter into can piercing relation to said piercing tool.

3. A can opening device comprising a support member having a can receiving member mounted for reciprocal sliding movement thereon, a stationary piercing tool provided on said support member and in can piercing relation to said can receiving member, a handle member pivotally mounted on said support member and operatively engaged to said can receiving member for reciprocating the latter into can piercing relation to said piercing tool, and biasing means engaged between said support and can receiving members for returning said can receiving member to its original position and said handle member to an unobstructive and inoperative position closely adjacent said support member.

4. A can opening device comprising a support member, a reciprocal slide member mounted on said support member and having an accessible surface thereof recessed and grooved to receive a can to be opened in engagement therewith, a piercing tool mounted on said support member and in can receiving relation to said slide member, an operator member pivotally mounted on said support member and in reciprocating engagement with said slide member, said operator member including a head portion shielding said piercing tool when inoperatively disposed and having a handle portion normally disposed closely adjacent said support member, and said handle portion and slide including cooperative cam-groove follower means provided therebetween for motivating said slide relative to said piercing tool upon actuation of said handle.

5. A can opening device comprising a support member having a slide mounted for vertical reciprocal movement thereon, said slide having an accessible surface thereof recessed to receive a can in vertically `disposed engagement therewith, transversely disposed grooves formed in the recessed surface of said slide and spaced to receive the terminal flanges of a can therein, a stationary piercing tool mounted on said support member and in can top piercing relation to said slide, resilient means biasing said slide downwardly, and means for elevating 4said slide relative to said piercing tool for opening a can disposed thereon.

6. A can opening device comprising a support member having a slide mounted for vertical reciprocal movement thereon, said slide having an accessible surface thereof recessed to receive a can in vertically disposed engagement therewith, transversely disposed grooves formed in the recessed surface of said slide and spaced to receive the terminal anges ofa can therein, a stationary piercing tool mounted on said'support member and in can top piercing relation-to said-slide, resilient means biasing said slide downwardly, and means for elevating said slide relative to said piercing tool for opening a can disposed thereon, said means for elevating said slide including a handle member pivotally mounted on said support member and having an eccentrically disposed part thereof engageable with said slide `for elevating said slide in the course of pivotal movement of said handle.

7. A can opening device comprising a support member having a slide mounted for vertical reciprocal movement thereon, said slide having an accessible surface thereof recessed to receive a can in vertically disposed engagement therewith, transversely disposed grooves formed in the recessed surface of said slide and spaced to receive the terminal flanges of a can therein, a stationary piercing tool mounted on said support member and in can top piercing relation to said slide, resilient means biasing said slide downwardly, and means for elevating said slide relative to said piercing tool for opening a can disposed thereon, said means for elevating said slide including a handle member pivotally mounted on said support and cooperative cam follower means provided between said handle and slide members for raising said slide vertically upon pivotal movement of said handle.

8. A can opening device comprising a support member having a slide mounted for vertical reciprocal movement thereon, said slide having an accessible surface thereof recessed to receive a can in vertically disposed engagement therewith, transversely disposed grooves formed -in the recessed surface of said slide and spaced to receive the terminal flanges of a can therein, a stationary piercing tool mounted on said support member and in can top piercing relation to said slide, vapor venting means provided on said piercing tool, a slide operating member pivotally mounted on said support member in elevating engagement with said slide eccentrically of the pivoted axis thereof, said operating member including a piercing tool shield near the pivotal end thereof, and a handle provided on said operating member for rotating said member on its pivotal axis to elevate said slide and rotate said shield out of shielding relation to said piercing tool for the reception of a can top in engagement with said tool.

9. A can opening device for piercing the top of fruit juice cans and the like, comprising a vertical support member having a vertically reciprocal slide member mounted thereon, said slide member having an accessible surface thereof recessed Ito receive a can in vertically disposed engagement therewith, transversely disposed grooves formed in the recessed surface of said slide for receiving the terminal anges of a can therein, a piercing tool mounted on said support member in fixed and can top receiving relation relative to said slide member, said piercing tool including means of vapor venting and electrical sterilization provided thereon, a manually operated member pivotally mounted on said support member, said operator member including a slide engaging stud offset from the pivotal axis thereof, said slide including a stud receiving slot formed therein, a depending handle provided on said operator member, a piercing tool shield provided on said operator member, and biasing means engaged between sai-d support and slide member; said slide and a can engaged therewith bei/ng elevated `relative to said .piercing tool upon pivotal movement of said handle and` operative engagement of said stud in said stud receiving slot of said slide, said tool shield being withdrawn upon pivotal movement of said operator member via said handle, and said biasing means serving to returnk said slide and saidvhandle to their Iinitial positions following the piercing of a can carried on said slide member.

10. A can opener comprising a mounting plate, a can support member on said plate, a can piercing tool member on said plate, means mounting one of said membersV in fixed position on said plate, means mounting the other of said members 4for vertical reciprocation on said plate toward and away from said one member, a handle pivoted to said plate, and actuating means connecting said handle and said vertically reciprocable member, said plate including a hood overlying and partially surrounding said tool member, said handle including a cover portion cooperable 'with said hood to completely enclose said tool member when said handle is in the starting position.

11. A can opener comprising a mounting plate, a can support member on said plate, a can piercing tool member on said plate, means mounting one of said members in fixed position on said plate, means mounting the other of said members for vertical reciprocation on said plate toward and away `from said one member, a handle pivoted to said plate, and actuating means connecting said handle and said vertically reciprocable member, said plate including a hood overlying and partially surrounding said tool member, said handle including a cover portion cooperable with said hood to completely enclose said tool member lwhen said handle is in the starting position, said cover portion being movable with said handle to expose to tool member for engagement with a can on said can support member during its movement from starting position to the position in which the lcan is pierced.

12. A can opener comprising a frame, a movable can support member mounted on said -frame for vertical sliding movement, can support means on `said member to apply a vertical lift to a can engaged |by said means, a can piercing tool Xedly carried by said frame above said can support means to engage and pierce the top surface of a can carried by said can support member on upward movement thereof, said opener including actuating means comprising a pivoted handle connected between said frame and said support member and movable between initial and piercing position to eifect vertical movement of said member, said frame including a hood portion overlying and partially enclosing said piercing tool, and a closure portion connected to said handle shaped to cooperate with said hood to substantially completely enclose said tool when said handle is in initial position.

13. A can opener comprising a frame, a movable can support member mounted on said frame for vertical sliding movement, can support means on said member to apply a vertical lift to a can engaged by said means, a `can piercing tool iixedly carried Iby said frame above said can support means to engage and pierce the top surface of a can carried by said can support member on upward movement thereof, said opener including actuating means comprising a pivoted handle connected between said frame and said support member and movable between initial and piercing positions to effect vertical movement of said member, said piercing tool comprising an element having a laterally inclined lower surface terminating in a sharp piercing point, said element having a downwardly open gas collecting recess located wholly Within said inclined lower surface, and a vent passage extending up- Wardly from said recess.

14. A can opener comprising a frame, a movable can support member mounted on said frame for vertical sliding movement, can support means on said member to apply a vertical lift to a can engaged by said means, a can piercing tool Xedly carried by said frame above said can support means to engage and pierce the top surface of a can carried by said can support member on upward movement thereof, said opener including actuating means c0111- prising a pivoted handle connected between said frame References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS and said support member and movable between initial 1,080,635 1011118911 DBC. 9, and piercing position to effect vertical movement of said 5 1,397,537 `'M'UIlSlIlg NOV. 22, member, said frame comprising a mounting plate, a frame 2,571,590 LOglC Oct. 16, member having a pair of legs xedly secured to said plate, 2,694,250 Wflht et al- N0V- 16, said plate and frame member having cooperating vertical 2,785,460 Johnson et a1. Mar. 19, track forming portions, said can support member having 2,825,965 Chess Mar. 11, its edge portions received in the tracks formed by said 10 2,845,702 Royal i Aug. 5, plate and said frame member. 2,916,817 Nordquist Dec. 15,

2,916,818 IBaselt Dec. 15,

2,958,942 'Fazekas Nov. 8, 

